Gary, Ind. — Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs to help people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.

CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University/Senior Planet and Adult Education programs. CURE is now enrolling for the following offerings.

Senior University, Senior Planet and Adult Education Courses

For Senior University/Senior Planet and Adult Education courses, register online at the link below or call 219-980-6907 unless otherwise noted.

Register for courses here

Senior Planet: Digital Tools for Brain Health

12:30-1:45 p.m., Friday, May 8
In-person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration deadline: May 6
Free and open to adults age 60+

Stay sharp with technology! In this lecture, we’ll explore digital tools to support habits that can help you stay sharp, including wearable devices, engaging websites and informative podcasts. Discover practical resources to keep your mind active and enhance your cognitive wellbeing in today’s digital world.

Senior Planet: AI & Disinformation

2-3:15 p.m., Tuesday, May 12
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: May 10
Free and open to adults age 60+

OR

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, June 25
In-person at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: June 23
Free and open to adults age 60+

Disinformation refers to false information created to mislead people and it’s nothing new. But today’s AI-powered tools and social media have made it easier and faster to create and spread disinformation. In this lecture, we’ll explore how AI is used to create convincing deepfakes and clone voices, making it challenging to distinguish between real and fake content. We’ll also review best practices for evaluating information and explore tech tools that can help identify content created with AI.

Senior Planet: AI Voice and Video Generators

1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 13
In-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: May 11
Free and open to adults age 60+

Have you heard about voice cloning, digital avatars or text-to-video? This lecture will explain how artificial intelligence programs can turn scripts and even just ideas/a few sentences into realistic voices and videos in a matter of minutes. We’ll explore AI voice and video generators, their common features and the wide range of content they can produce. You’ll also learn tips and considerations for using these tools so you can get started!

Senior Planet: Online Health Resources at a Glance

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 20
In-person at the Whiting City Hall
Registration deadline: May 18
Free and open to adults age 60+

The internet can be an excellent source for learning more about your or a loved one’s health. This presentation will introduce you to the topics and tools offered on two reputable websites, MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic. You’ll also learn how to evaluate health-related information online.

Senior Planet: Understanding Fraud & Scams

10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, May 21
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: May 19
Free and open to adults age 60+

The ability to spot a scam is an essential digital skill. In this lecture, we’ll review some of the most common scams, offer tips for avoiding them and go over what to do if you do get scammed. We’ll look at sample emails, texts and deepfakes to see how AI contributes to the increased spread and complexity of scams. We’ll also provide helpful resources for staying informed about the latest scams.

Senior Planet: Intro to Estate Planning Resources & Tools

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, May 29
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: May 27
Free and open to adults age 60+

Estate planning may sound intimidating or something that requires a lot of resources. Creating an estate plan just means making sure that your health, finances and anything you own is handled according to your wishes. In this case, a simple plan is better than no plan! In this lecture, you will get an overview of some common documents found in an estate plan. We will also cover free or low-cost resources and digital tools to help you get started with a simple estate plan.

Senior U: W.I.S.E. Wellness Initiative for Senior Education

1-2:30 p.m., Mondays, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 24
Free and open to adults ages 55+

The WISE educational program will cover a wide range of topics about health and wellness for older adults. Participants will learn about the aging process, how to make healthy lifestyle choices and how to use simple tools to help you feel more empowered about your health and the healthcare you receive. We will also discuss risk factors and behaviors to avoid so you can stay healthy and examine how alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications affect seniors differently and how you can avoid problems.

This program is provided in partnership with Geminus funded by a grant from Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.

Senior Planet: Is that AI?

1-2:15 p.m., Friday, June 5
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: June 3
Free and open to adults age 60+

With the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI programs can now create text, images and much more. At first sight, it may be hard to tell if what you see was created or altered by AI. In this session, we’ll teach you tips and tools to help you determine if an image or piece of writing was generated by AI. We’ll also discuss what tech companies like Google are doing to create systems to detect the use of AI.

Senior U: Business Building: Financial Security Strategies

2-4 p.m., Fridays, June 5 and 12
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: June 3
Free and open to adults ages 55+

This two-part series is designed to equip older adult entrepreneurs with strategies to fund their business dreams and move from uncertainty to confident, intentional financial planning. Led by Tavetta Patterson, these interactive sessions will focus on pricing products and services for real profit, understanding the true cost of running a business and developing savings, debt‑reduction and reserve‑building strategies that support long‑term stability. Participants will also explore creative funding options, ways to diversify revenue and opportunities to expand offerings in the digital age. Whether you’re dreaming big or ready for your next step, this workshop provides practical tools to help your business thrive with purpose and financial strength.

Senior Planet: Digital Coupon Tools

1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 10
In-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: June 8
Free and open to adults age 60+

If you like saving money on groceries and everyday items, then this lecture is for you! We’ll introduce you to the world of digital couponing and a variety of tools to help you get started. You’ll learn about coupon websites, apps and browser extensions as well as tips for getting the best deals.

Community Garden: Invasive Species: What They Are and Why They Matter

12-1 p.m., Thursday, June 11
Concurrent on Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: June 9
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join AJ Popovic Northwest Indiana Regional Specialist with SICIM (State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management) for an introduction to the topic of invasive species. The presentation will explain what precisely makes a species invasive, how invasive species are introduced and spread and what each of us can do to address this issue.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior U: Chair Yoga and Gentle Movement

5:30-6:45 p.m., Tuesdays, June 16, 23 and 30
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: June 7
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Tiffany Green-Mikell, certified yoga instructor and somatic wellness practitioner, for these movement-based sessions that will emphasize chair yoga and gentle somatic practices. Participants will be guided through slow, accessible movements that support relaxation, awareness and overall wellbeing. All movements will be adaptable and chair-friendly, with options offered to meet participants where they are physically. No prior yoga or movement experience is required.

Senior Planet: Technology for Aging in Place

10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, June 18
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: June 16
Free and open to adults age 60+

In this lecture, you’ll learn how home assistants, smart appliances and wearables can save you time and money, help you manage health conditions and even give you greater peace of mind. We’ll also discuss best practices for maintaining your privacy and security when using this technology.

Senior Planet: Digital Vaults

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, June 26
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: June 24
Free and open to adults age 60+

What if you could keep your most important papers safe organized and accessible—without a filing cabinet? Digital vaults can help! In this session, we’ll explore what digital vaults are, how they differ from general cloud storage and the kinds of documents they’re designed to protect. You’ll learn how they can support estate planning, emergency preparedness and long-term peace of mind. We’ll also cover key privacy and security concerns and you’ll see demos of several popular digital vault services in action.

Adult Education: Fundamental Courses

24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens

Online fundamental courses are informative, fun and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board allowing you to interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel and A to Z Grant Writing.

Enroll, learn more or view all Fundamental courses

Adult Education: Career Training Programs

24/7 Access; Start at any time
Costs vary; Courses for adults

The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging and motivating you to succeed.

Enroll, learn more or view all Career Training Programs

Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks

24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Costs vary; Courses for adults

These online Career Track programs offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of professions — from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in a self-paced format and offer opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.

Enroll, learn more or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks

IU 2030: Service to our State and Beyond

IU Northwest will improve the lives of the people and economic vitality of Northwest Indiana and beyond by fostering and strengthening collaborative relationships that promote, build and sustain the well-being of the campus and our communities.

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